Crestor - what is it?
Crestor is a medication that is prescribed to treat many conditions that accompany heart disease, including high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. The uses of Crestor that have been approved include:
- Reducing the amount of cholesterol in those that high levels of it. Crestor has been found to reduce the total amounts of cholesterol as well as the LDL, non-HDL cholesterol and ApoB as well as triglycerides. It has also been found to raise the levels of good cholesterol.
- Lowers the levels of triglycerides in those that have high triglyceride levels
- As an additional treatment in those that have a condition known as "homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia" to aid in the reduction of LDL and total cholesterol as well as to increase HDL cholesterol levels.
- Helping to treat dysbetalipoproteinemia. This is a genetic condition that is rare and shows itself with high levels of triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
- Helping to slow hardening of the arteries
- Reducing the chances of strokes, bypass surgeries or heart attacks in those that are at an elevated risk of heart disease.
Who is the maker?
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals is the manufacturer of Crestor.
How it works
Crestor belongs to the family of medications known as statins. It works to block the enzyme in the body that controls how much cholesterol the body produces. Essentially, the liver begins to make lower levels of cholesterol. This medicine also works to:
- Increase the ability of the liver to gather and eliminate the bad cholesterol
- Increases the levels of good cholesterol in the body
- Lowers triglyceride levels
Benefits of Crestor
Generally, treating high cholesterol starts with changes to the lifestyle. These changes include diet, exercise and weight loss. If these changes alone don't help enough, then it may be necessary take a medicine like Crestor.
The primary goal of any cholesterol medicine is to lower the levels of the bad cholesterol enough to lower the risk of problems that are associated with high levels of cholesterol including heart attack and heart disease.
Crestor Side Effects
As is the case with all medications, it is possible to experience side effects while taking Crestor. Not everyone that takes this medication will have side effects as it is generally well tolerated. If you do notice side effects they are most often minor and will require little or no treatment.
Most of the commonly reported side effects include:
- Pain in the joints
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Pain or tenderness of the muscles
- Constipation
- Weakness in the body